Someone in my church told me that it would be good for me to say something to my congregation about the recent Chick-fil-A situation. This is what I emailed to the folk.
I have been encouraged to comment to you on the recent Chick-Fil-A controversy.
But first, two verses:
You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:38-41)
But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. (Acts 16:35-40)
There are times when we need to accept some offense against us and then expect some more of the same and accept that too - quietly. And then, there are times when we need to make a fuss in response to some evil that someone has done against us. It takes Spiritual wisdom to decide which of these responses is right in any particular situation. However, in any situation the guiding principle is always the same: 'What will advance the Gospel?' That's always the guiding principle since advancing the Gospel is the only way we can change the world.